Hyundai Kona Electric vs Kia EV9
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Hyundai Kona Electric scores higher, 70 vs 67
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 10 Nov 2026, price 15 Oct 2026
Hyundai Kona Electric
16 of 27 standard · no option data · 7 not offered · 4 no dataFrom
$46,000
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 99kW
- Energy use
- 14.8 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★4 · 2023
- Boot (seats up)
- 407L
Top CarSorted Score, 70 vs 67
Hyundai Australia offer: $43,990 drive-away (state not stated), ends 31 Dec 2026. Terms
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Kia EV9
21 of 27 standard · no option data · 2 not offered · 4 no dataFrom
$97,000
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 160kW
- Energy use
- 21.7 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2023
- Boot (seats up)
- 333L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Manufacturer offer
Drive-away
Ends 31 Dec 2026
Offer from Hyundai Australia, checked 8 Nov 2026
T&Cs apply, as the maker prints them. Eligibility, stock and build limits vary, so confirm the offer with the dealer.
Hyundai Kona Electric: we're still completing kerb weight, seat count, 0-100km/h and braked towing.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$46,000RRP
- cannot be matched: Heated Front Seats, Ventilated Front Seats, Electric Driver Seat and 1 more not offered
$97,000RRP
- with the Hyundai Kona Electric's standard kit: $97,000 (nothing to add)
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
Hyundai Kona Electric Standard Range 99kW
$46,000
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 15 Oct 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $190 a week in repayments ($46,000 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Kia EV9 Air RWD
$97,000
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 6 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $425 a week in repayments ($97,000 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Hyundai Kona Electric starts $51,000 lower on RRP.
The Hyundai Kona Electric currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The Kia EV9 does not: above the $91,661 fuel-efficient lct threshold.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$190/wk(≈$822/mo)
Estimate on the Hyundai Kona Electric at $46,000 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Hyundai Kona ElectricDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
The Kia EV9 has the higher ANCAP rating: 5 stars (2023) against 4 stars (2023), both tested 2023. Adult occupant protection scored 80% for the Hyundai Kona Electric and 84% for the Kia EV9.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on both.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 7 of 10 key systems on the Hyundai Kona Electric and 7 on the Kia EV9.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
Hyundai Kona Electric
- REC-006586 · published 9 Apr 2026A software issue in the Battery Management System (BMS) may cause an electrical short circuit while charging or parked leading to a vehicle fire.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2023
- REC-001592 · published 23 Aug 2021Due to a manufacturing defect, the battery does not meet specifications and may lead to an electrical short which could start a fire.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2020
- REC-000605 · published 28 Jan 2021A software fault in the Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) may significantly reduce braking performance.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2020
- 1 more on the model page.
Kia EV9
- REC-006557 · published 6 Mar 2026Due to a software error, the Instrument Cluster may display a blank screen or may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2025
- REC-006250 · published 22 Jan 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, vehicles may have been assembled with missing seat mounting bolts.Year range on the notice: 2023 - 2024
- REC-006126 · published 22 Oct 2024Due to a software issue, the Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) system may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2023 - 2024
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
48.6kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 100kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (10.4kW AC, 100kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
99.8kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 240kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 240kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Hyundai Kona Electric features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Kia EV9 gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Hyundai Kona Electric stands out with Apple CarPlay — features our data doesn't list for the Kia EV9. The Kia EV9 counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate and V2L. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Hyundai Kona Electric gets premium cloth upholstery while the Kia EV9 offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 2-zone in the Hyundai Kona Electric and 3-zone in the Kia EV9.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The Hyundai Kona Electric uses a Electric producing 99kW and 255Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout.
The Kia EV9 responds with a Electric making 160kW and 350Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.2 seconds.
The Kia EV9 has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 99kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 48.6kWh (Hyundai Kona Electric) vs 76.1kWh (Kia EV9), giving WLTP ranges of 370km and 519km. DC fast charging peaks at 100kW (Hyundai Kona Electric) vs 240kW (Kia EV9).
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai Kona Electric measures 4,355mm long on a 2,660mm wheelbase, 655mm shorter than the Kia EV9 at 5,010mm (3,100mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia EV9 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 407L in the Hyundai Kona Electric and 333L in the Kia EV9, giving the Hyundai Kona Electric a 74L advantage.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Hyundai Kona Electric's turning circle is 1.4 m tighter, 10.6 m against 12.0 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Hyundai Kona Electric costs about $710 a year (14.8 kWh/100km) and electricity for the Kia EV9 about $1,042 a year (21.7 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $332 a year less for the Hyundai Kona Electric.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Hyundai Kona Electric) and 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV9).
Where each one leads
The Hyundai Kona Electric: the lower starting price ($46,000 against $97,000), the bigger boot with the seats up (407L against 333L) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($710 a year against $1,042).
The Kia EV9: more power (160kW against 99kW) and the longer warranty (7 years against 5).
The Verdict
Hyundai Kona Electric scores higher, 70 vs 67
The Hyundai Kona Electric scores 70 to the Kia EV9's 67 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 9 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: energy efficiency (Hyundai Kona Electric ahead by 46 points), technology (Kia EV9 ahead by 17 points), performance (Kia EV9 ahead by 16 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Hyundai Kona Electric costs about $332 less (14.8 kWh/100km against 21.7 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 407L in the Hyundai Kona Electric, 333L in the Kia EV9. Warranty: 5 years on the Hyundai Kona Electric, 7 on the Kia EV9.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$190/wk(≈$822/mo)
Estimate on the Hyundai Kona Electric at $46,000 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Hyundai Kona ElectricDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia EV9?
The Hyundai Kona Electric is the cheapest at $46,000 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Kia EV9 by $51,000.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Kia EV9 has the most range at 443km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Kia EV9 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 240kW.
Which is safest?
The Kia EV9 has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars (2023).
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai Kona Electric has the largest boot at 407L with the seats up.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia EV9 has the longest warranty that does not depend on dealer servicing at 7 years / unlimited km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Kia EV9 makes the most power at 160kW.
Track the Hyundai Kona Electric & Kia EV9
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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